The Defender
November 22, 2022
Important Upcoming Dates
- November 23-25 Thanksgiving Break
- December 6 No Mass-Red and White out of uniform
- December 6 St. Nick Parties 2:45 PM
- December 7 No Mass-Penance Service (3rd - 8th)
- December 8 All School Mass 8:15 AM
- December 8 All School Rosary 2:30 PM
A Message from Mrs. Tate
Dear SMA Families,
Happy Thanksgiving! We started a new tradition today, and it was a HUGE hit!
We started our tradition with all-school Mass at 10:00 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Edward. We sat with our Faith Families at Mass for the first time in a long time, and it was WONDERFUL! The bigs helped the littles, and it was one more way to get to know our Faith Families better. Fr. Edward gave a wonderful homily focused on gratefulness, especially our gratefulness to God. He discussed the basic, intermediate, and advanced ways we can thank God in our lives.
At the most basic level, we can simply say, “Thank you, God.” We should even include the reason for our gratefulness at this level.
At the intermediate level, we can thank God in advance for the blessings we have yet to receive.
At the advanced level, we thank God for suffering. This is the most advanced level because it’s the hardest to do. Suffering is hard for everyone, and if we can turn it into a prayer of thanksgiving, we glorify God. When we suffer, it’s an opportunity to become like Jesus. God causes all things to work together for good.
Fr. Edward’s focus on gratefulness at all levels is accessible to us all – kindergarten through adult! What a wonderful way to share multiple ways to glorify God. It was the perfect message to lead us into the beautiful season of Advent.
After Mass, our Faith Families went to the cafeteria/gym area to have our first ever all-school Thanksgiving Feast. Thanks to the organization and planning of Mr. Huber, Chef Rich Babcock, and the MANY parent volunteers who helped set-up, serve, and clean-up, we fed all our Faith Families family style with a turkey dinner. It was AWESOME! It was hard to send the kids back to class because everyone was enjoying themselves and visiting with one another at their tables. Check out the awesome pictures below!
It was a wonderful day! Thank you, God, for the students, staff, and parents at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School! I’m grateful for the days we have had, and I would like to thank God in advance for the days to come.
O Glorious Father, we give you thanks for your infinite generosity and providence to us. Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings of the food we will eat and especially for the people who gather at our tables. Dear Lord, in this Thanksgiving season, we bow our hearts to You in prayer. We give You thanks for all You have done, mostly for the gift of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Open our hearts to Your love.
May the blessing of Christ be with you all.
Diana Tate
SMA Social needs your photos
As we get further into the school year and begin to have projects and parties at school, snap some pictures and send to VSL so we can post on Facebook and Instagram. We would love to feature more of our kids smiling faces to help tell our SMA story!
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
STA to Perform “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School students will present the one-hour Christmas musical “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” December 16 and 17th at our school Theater. Please join us for this family-friendly musical that will get you in the Christmas spirit! The Friday performance will be at 7pm and the Saturday performances at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door or please visit our website at www.stasaints.net
Parish Acivities
American Heritage Girls Poinsettia Fundraiser
St. Michael the Archangel American Heritage Girls Troop will offer poinsettia plants for the holiday. All proceeds support the girls at the Honduras Mission Orphanage.
Purchase a poinsettia for yourself and/or donate one to SMA's "Friendly Visitors" ministry to be delivered to the sick, homebound & bereaved of our parish. Suggested donation is $15.
Order now and pick up on Saturday, Nov 26 from 3:30-5:00 PM in the Parish Hall, or at your convenience by Nov 29.
Click here to order: https://stmichaelcp.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/924c7909-7b6e-433e-94a2-84780b55a21c
Companions in Faith Volunteer Opportunity at OLU School
Have some free time during the school day? We are looking for volunteers to work with teachers and students at Our Lady of Unity School for the 2022-2023 school year. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. but we can accommodate almost any schedule. The day of the week is flexible and as well as the frequency of your volunteer visits. You must be VIRTUS trained to volunteer but no teaching expertise is needed, just a willing heart to work with students.
If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please visit http://companionsinfaith.weebly.com/volunteer-at-our-lady-of-unity-school.html or e-mail Ann Ekis at ann.ekis@yahoo.com